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2mo ago

Atalanta's Ademola Lookman Criticizes Coach After Penalty Miss Remarks

Gian Piero Gasperini called Lookman 'one of the worst penalty takers' following Atalanta's Champions League exit to Club Brugge.

Soccer Football - Serie A - Udinese v Atalanta - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - January 11, 2025 Atalanta's Ademola Lookman during warm up before the match REUTERS/Matteo Gribaudi/File Photo
Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoff - Second Leg - Atalanta v Club Brugge - Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy - February 18, 2025 Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini before the match REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
A distraught Ademola Lookman after his penalty miss
Lookman had scored almost immediately after coming on, but his penalty in the 61st minute was saved by Simon Mignolet, left

Overview

  • Atalanta was eliminated from the Champions League after a 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge, resulting in a 5-2 aggregate loss in the playoff round.
  • Ademola Lookman, who has scored 15 goals this season, had a penalty saved during the match, prompting harsh criticism from coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
  • Gasperini labeled Lookman as 'one of the worst penalty takers' and claimed the forward was not supposed to take the spot kick, citing better options in Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere.
  • Lookman responded on Instagram, calling the comments 'deeply disrespectful' and noting he was instructed by the designated taker to take the penalty during the match.
  • The incident follows Lookman's standout performance last season, where he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final to secure Atalanta's victory over Bayer Leverkusen.